Hanan’s got the ‘skills to pay the bills’

After seven months without a fight, Denning Boxing Gym’s Alex Hanan will step back into the ring in Punchbowl, New South Wales on tomorrow night.

Hanan, 19, will take on 43-year-old New Zealand boxer Nick Hikuroa, who has won just the one fight from seven bouts, including a loss in December.

Hikuroa has to come up in weight to meet the conditions of the super welterweight four-round bout, while the undefeated Hanan will work to cut some remaining weight.

Hanan said despite not fighting in a few months he was ready for this weekend’s match.

“It has been a short camp, but we have dug deep,” he said.

“Everything I need to do I have done and I am just looking forward to it now.

“They (management) wanted to get me something as I have been pretty inactive lately.

“I feel sharp and ready to put on a performance.”

Hanan said he felt he would have a strength advantage against Hikuroa.

“I have seen what he can do and he doesn’t really bring much to the table,” he said.

“There is nothing I haven’t seen before.

“He is a bit more mature and knows the game a bit better, but I need to bring the skills to pay the bills.”

Hanan said he would not go out looking for a knockout.

“I have a strong chance of doing that this fight, but I am not concentrating on that,” he said.

Hanan said he had a few fights in the works for March and April.

“It is a busy time of year,” he said.

“By the end of next year or early next year I want to fight for an IBF junior world title.”